X-Oriente

026: An Evening with Bro. "Iceman"

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Back in November I had the opportunity to sit down with M.W. Bro. Jerry Butler. Bro Butler is one of the founding members of the Impressions, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, A Past Grandmaster of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Illinois, and a Cook County Board Commissioner. He is also a wise, compassionate and wickedly funny guy.

I went to see him to learn more about how Prince Hall Masonry differs from my own. What I found is that we many more similarities than differences. Special thanks to Bro. Butler, to Bro. Ryan Priester, To the guys of North Star Lodge No. 1 and to Arc Music for granting permission to play some of Jerry's Music. If you'd like to explore, it can be found on the iTunes Music Store

This episode was brought to you by Stone Guild Publishing, publishers of Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century . Please visit them and help support X-Oriente!

025: Christmas Music Special

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It is that time of the year again, brethren! Time for the 3rd Annual X-Oriente Christmas Music Special! The pickings this year were slimmer than in the past, but I still found with some pretty decent selections. Please enjoy these and have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Music Selections

"I'll be home for Christmas," by Twisted Sister

"Merry Christmas Song" by Vanessa Van Spall

"Looks Like Christmas." by Winzinreid, or the Hollywood Drunks

"O Come All Ye Faithful," by Mary Ellen

"Feels Like Christmas," by Rusty Bladen

"Drinking Up Christmas," by The Dwarves

"My Own Merry Christmas," by Geoff Smith

Episode 024: In the Interests of the Brethren

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Episode 23 was all about Masons and their struggle with their Grand Lodges as they seek to remake themselves for today's needs. But after listening to it, it was mostly me scolding both sides for letting things get to this point.

That's not what this show is about though is it? It is not what you guys expect. We're looking for solutions.
So with Episode 24, we're getting a little more philosophically aligned with our foundations. Episode 23 is in the vault and there it will stay (for the time being, anyway). So in place of it here is a classic Masonic short story by Bro. Rudyard Kipling, "In the Interests of the Brethren."

We've also got brand new theme music, courtesy of Geoff Smith. Let me know how you like it.

Episode 022: Subduing Our Passions

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There are a lot of controversial events going on in Masonry right now, and many of them are being discussed on blogs and forums. Communication by electronic means is never as rich as face to face and sometimes things can turn ugly. Flame wars, anonymous postings, mass defections and heavy handed forum moderation are the most common by-products of uncivil conduct, but the implications can hurt feelings and even get you in hot water with your Grand Lodge.

In this episode we'll catch up a little, and talk about ways to keep things civil as we head into some murky waters.

Episode 021: Speaking of Complete Idiots and the Media...

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In this episode Dr. S. Brent Morris, Masonic spokesman extraordinaire, speaks on what it was like to write his book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry, debunk myths, and appear in several documentary films about Freemasonry.

Special Thanks to Brent and the Illinois Lodge of Research. This presentation took place on October 5, 2007 at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Lodge of Research. For more information about the Illinois Lodge of Research contact its Secretary, Ron Blue.

Episode 020: How to think critically

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In Part II of our series on critical thinking, we'll cover the techniques one uses when evalutating ideas critically. Roger Darlington of the UK has put together a pretty good guide called How To Think Critically

There is also a challenge--the first X-Oriente Lab Experiment:

Zeigeist: The Movie is a film that has recently been released to the Internet. It asserts that religion as we know it is part of a greater plan to control humanity. It has garnered some rave reviews. Commentators on Digg.com said of it:

This is a must see project. No denying that it's controversial. It's a full length movie about historical perceptions of religion, the US and the world. Take an objective view and develop your own opinion.

So let's do that, shall we? In the spirit of Masonic discourse and debate, take a look at Zeitgeist: The Movie. Use Roger Darlington's Guide to Critical thinking. The Creators of the film exhort us to watch the movie and think for ourselves. What do you think?

Does the film make it's case? Is it credible? Why or why not? Did the authors practice good critical thinking? Create your own review and I'll play it on the show. You can call it in to the Skype line at +1 847 380 1881 and leave a message, or you can record it on your computer and send me the audio file. (Please keep it under 10 mb or contact me to make alternative arrangements.) Or write it as a comment and post it here or send it as an email. I'll assemble all the reviews in the next episode and think for ourselves. After all, that is part of what Masonry is all about, isn't it?

019: The Importance of Thinking Critically

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...or, "Fridays with Morrie." One way we can revive the intellectual heritage Freemasons had during the Enlightenment is to revive our commitment to critical thinking. What is critical thinking? It is the process we use to discover what is truth from fiction in an independent, disciplined and rigorous way. In these days of "spin," at a time when lies are just fine as long as you don't get caught, when "mission accomplished," means, well nothing and we are forced to really delve into what the word "is" really IS, critical thinking is an essential part of a healthy democracy. The problem is, we live in a consumerist age when our opinions are conveniently packaged for us by talk radio and pundits in an ever growing, shrill cacophany of meaningless well...crap.

Thank heavens there is a tradition in the west that values critical thinking, self-education and independent thought. Freemasonry. The ground floor of this tradition is critical thinking.

But why is critical thinking important? And what exactly is it anyway? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Morrie Fiddler, of the School for New Learning at DePaul Univeristy in Chicago. We also look at some really good media coverage of the Fraternity and some really really bad coverage.

What do you think? Is critical thinking an issue we could again be champions of?

Episode 018: The Enemy of Freemasonry

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The new season of the show kicks off with an essay on what the enemy of Freemasonry is.

Thanks to everybody who wrote, called or IM'd in during the hiatus. Your encouragement has kept me going. In this season, I'm shooting for shorter shows more often. Thanks to some needed technology upgrades, the production of the show has been streamlined even more. But I need your help. What topic do you want to see covered? What in Masonry do you find interesting? Drop me a line and tell me. I am also looking for a regular essayist...someone who is a cross between Lewis Black and the "Old Tyler" from the MSN's Short Talk Bulletins. If you'd like an opportunity to speak to the Masonic World, drop me a line.

MUSIC:

"Gunshot Wake," by Blackout Gorgeous

"Investigating The Phantom Signal" by Anterrabae

"Sienna Bullet - Grunge Mix" by after touch

"Son of Ambriel" by Cargo Cult from the Vibrant Album available on Magnatunes

"Seasons" by Cargo Cult from the Vibrant Album available on Magnatunes

Episode 017m: Christian Mysticism and the Higher Degrees

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Live (sort of) from Washington DC! This is an event sponsored by Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15 in Washington DC. Enjoy the show for now, I'll post more complete show notes upon my return to Chicago!

Episode 016: Web Tools for Masons

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One of the most important tasks of any lodge is to communicate effectively with their members. The web offers tons of great tools to help Masons do just that. Many of these tools are cheap or even free of charge (usually if you put up with some advertising). In this, the first of several episodes we'll do from time to time, we review some tools to help your Lodge keep a calendar, manage email lists and start a trestleboard-style blog.

I made a blog in an hour that incorporated a lot of the technologies I review in this episode. You can check out my handiwork here

Here are links to the apps reviewed:

Google Calendar

Google Docs (formerly Writely) and Spreadsheet

30Boxes

TimeToMeet

Evite

Blogger

TypePad

WordPress

TextMarks

Campaign Monitor

BackPack

Delicious Library